May 4, Reading 3 – 2 Peter 1

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Notice how Peter talks about Jesus: our God and Saviour. The righteousness of Jesus is the means of your salvation. With Jesus you have everything you need for life and godliness. Meditate over the connections between the attributes listed in verses 5-8.

SJA Notes

* Holy God, Your word teaches us the qualities of a person that matter. Please write this Your word on our heart today.

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Virtue.

Knowledge.

Self-control.

Steadfastness.

Godliness.

Brother affection.

Love.

In his second letter Peter starts with this very clear list, attributes or qualities of the believer that we are to work to obtain, to strive to achieve, and to supplement each with the other.

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, …”

It is not only to have these qualities, but that they are to INCREASE.

Increase is an important truth in God’s word, and we can see it outworked across all of life.

There is much friction in increase.

We cannot ride a bike for any distance without pumping our legs until they’re burning, and this provides increase, we get fitter, our legs get stronger.

We are to set about in our lives getting fitter and stronger _in these qualities_.

We need to wrestle with this list! Virtue. Knowledge. Self-control. Steadfastness. Godliness. Brotherly affection. Love.

Peter tells us that with these qualities growing and increasing we are effective and fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If this is true for us then we are good soil!

* Father God,

Please help us to take hold of Peter’s words here, Your word spirit-breathed and carried along.

Thank You for Jesus, Your beloved Son in whom You are well pleased.

Amen.

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